An anchored mindset that has led this Texas country music rising star from a drifter’s adolescence to the jeopardous game of the rodeo circuit to the punishing toil of the Texas oil fields, and on into the fickle arms of the music business. Some might argue whether it is having nine consecutive #1 hit singles in Texas under his belt that has garnered him staying power, or that he is killing it in the social media world with over 2 million views on YouTube and over 3 million streams globally on Spotify. Maybe it’s his 3 venerated album releases, or maybe because he can not only bat a full house on a 200 plus dates a year touring average, but also rope in crowds on a first time performance in an unfamiliar town. While impressive, all those distinctions can come and go in the world of music. The reason for his staying power turns out to be quite a simple one. And that is because Josh Ward is country music blood to bone, and both Josh Ward and country music are simply not going to go away.
Josh spent 2017 heavily touring off the strength of his previous album “Holding Me Together.” All six radio singles hit the #1 spot on the Texas Regional Radio Chart and Ward quickly found himself going from opening act to the headlining spot in a matter of months. But in the midst of his growing popularity, he gladly bent the knee to fellow country music artist and comrade Cody Johnson who introduced Ward to his West Coast audiences. Getting the chance to be endorsed by Cody Johnson and perform at sold out shows in brand new markets is the kind of opportunity music artists chomp at the bit to have. When Ward and his band returned to those areas a few months later all by their lonesome, he simply could not have guessed at the reception he would encounter. “When we went back to the West Coast by ourselves, it was sold out shows. I was literally blown away.” It was at that very point while far away from his familiar stomping grounds in Texas with new fans slapping him on the back that Ward knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his music was catching on in a big way.
The culmination of his radio success and his victories out on the road can easily be attributed to the actual man behind the music. In life, sometimes a person gets dealt a lean hand and has to choose his family from strangers along the way, people who make a conscious choice to take you under their wing and help guide you through life. Ward considers himself a very lucky man despite some rough teenage years. The love and support of his extended family and his chosen family was the concrete foundation he built
his life on, and his fans are a big part of that. It’s why they are drawn to him through the speakers, because he is what he sings. It’s why they are drawn to him from the stage, because he’s an old friend who’s come back to visit. He’s the animated truth of all he stands for, a self-made family man who always has a welcome smile and an open spot in the family. To his loyal fans he feels he owes everything. “Words can’t describe the emotion that gets put into these runs and the work that we do. And these people pay their hard earned money to see it every night. Thank you. Every time I step on stage, you guys remind me that I have more than I deserve.” And so his brand new album, so aptly named, is Ward’s dedication to his growing family.
“More Than I Deserve” marks Ward’s fourth full length album release and it will greet the fans on May 4, 2018. With the philosophy of “don’t fix what isn’t broken,” Ward went right back into the Rosewood studios where he recorded all his previous releases and joined producer Greg Hunt once again behind the board to create the next dimension of Josh Ward country music. The new album is 11 tracks strong featuring the signature instrumentation from guys like John Carroll (Cory Morrow) on guitar, Nate Coon (Aaron Watson) on drums, Milo Deering (The Eagles) on acoustic guitar, steel, dobro, fiddle, viola and mandolin, and Terry McBride (McBride and The Ride) on backing vocals and also writer of three of the tracks. The album is classic Josh Ward style on every front with just a little more gusto and a little more miles on it. Full bodied and emotionally fragrant, every song jumps out kicking up the kind of country music nostalgia Ward is revered for. The first single “All About Lovin’” (written by Brice Long, Terry McBride and Chris Stapleton) tells you everything you need to know about this album, a sexy tonkafied driver of a song that guarantees you’ll be lacing up your dancing shoes by the time you hit the chorus. “Home Away From Home” is country piled on top of more country, and is, as the song says, “a two steppin’ juke box heaven.” While Ward has never been afraid to sing other people’s songs due to his belief that a good song simply needs to be heard, his own savvy for the art just so happens to be represented on three of the most powerful tracks. “A Cowboy Can” is the true grit of this album and is what Ward says best describes himself. “One More Shot Of Whiskey” is a sobering tale told with 90 proof conviction, and then there is “More Than I Deserved” ringing out with its vulnerable steel and head hanging resolve. “More Than I Deserve” is country music addiction in its purest form. Josh Ward did not reinvent the wheel here, but damn, it’s polished surface sure rides smooth.
Josh and his band will be seeing a lot more of the country this year hitting a lot of new places on his never ending tour. It’s still hard for him to believe he has come this far and he doesn’t take one mile of it for granted. “I never thought I would be rolling down the road with one of the hottest bands in Texas playing shows across the United States. I’m happy to be here.”
The Josh Ward band is Josh Ward (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Steve Cargill (bass), Justin Cogneato (drums), Woody Woodruff (lead guitar) and Glen Shankle (steel guitar).
Ain't It Baby
Josh Ward Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shinin' down on us tonight, Ain't it baby
Got a moon, that makes two kids
Get together like we did, Ain't it baby
The song on the radio ain't the same but it still feels so damn right
When you're lyin' in my arms, stealin' my heart
The way you did it that first time
It's kinda crazy, ain't it baby, ain't it baby
Yeah it's just about as good as it gets
Ain't it baby
It's a feelin' like we can take this ride
As far as we wanna take it, Ain't it baby
The song on the radio ain't the same
But it still feels so damn right
When you're lyin' in my arms, stelin' my heart
The way you did that first time
It's kinda crazy baby
Ain't it baby
Girl this must be love for makin'
Cause it's always so amazin'
Ain't it baby
The song on the radio ain't the same
But it still feels so damn right
When you're lyin' in my arms, stealin' my heart
The way you did that first time
It's kinda crazy, ain't it baby, Ain't it baby
Ain't it baby
Ain't it baby
In "Ain't It Baby" by Josh Ward, the lyrics describe the intense feelings of happiness and contentment that the singer experiences while in a relationship. The opening lines "That's a once in a lifetime sky/Shinin' down on us tonight" symbolize the unique and profound nature of the relationship. The singer is grateful for the moon that creates a romantic atmosphere, helping him and his partner to remember when they first fell in love. Despite the song on the radio not being the same, the singer still feels happy and complete, lying in his partner's arms and stealing his heart the same way she did when they first met.
The singer finds it almost crazy how he is still so much in love with his partner - the song title, "Ain't it baby," repeats the idea that the love he feels is beyond extraordinary. Towards the end of the song, the singer admits that their love must be real and truly amazing, as it always feels wonderful. In conclusion, the song is about the beauty of love and the depth of feelings that it can create, leading to a wondrous sense of happiness and satisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
That's a once in a lifetime sky
The beauty of the sky is unique and special, and we won't experience it again in a lifetime.
Shinin' down on us tonight, Ain't it baby
We're enjoying the beauty of the sky right now, and it's amazing, isn't it, baby?
Got a moon, that makes two kids
With the moon shining down on us, it feels like we're two kids experiencing the world's wonders for the first time.
Get together like we did, Ain't it baby
Our coming together on this special night is an incredible experience, isn't it, baby?
The song on the radio ain't the same but it still feels so damn right
Even though the song playing is different from the first time we were together, everything still feels just as perfect.
When you're lyin' in my arms, stealin' my heart
When we're close like this, you have such an effect on me - you're stealing my heart.
The way you did it that first time
When we first got together, you stole my heart in the same way you are doing it now.
It's kinda crazy, ain't it baby, ain't it baby
Isn't it amazing how love can make you feel a little bit insane, baby?
It's a kiss on a night like this
The kiss we share on a night like this is a moment to cherish.
Yeah it's just about as good as it gets
This moment is about as good as it gets - nothing can top it.
Ain't it baby
It's amazing, isn't it, baby?
It's a feelin' like we can take this ride
We feel like we can go anywhere and do anything together - it's an incredible feeling.
As far as we wanna take it, Ain't it baby
We can take our relationship as far as we want to, baby - the possibilities are endless.
Girl this must be love for makin'
Our love is so intense and passionate that it must be true love.
Cause it's always so amazin'
Our love amazes us every time we're together.
Ain't it baby
It's amazing, isn't it, baby?
Writer(s): Tommy Lee James, Brett Beavers, James E Mccormick
Contributed by Joshua J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.